FLOW STATE

MC Yogi leads a soulful journey of yoga and music at Hotel Californian

By Maddy Sims

As the sun sets over Santa Barbara, the rooftop of Hotel Californian transforms into a golden canvas. Sunlight glints off Moroccan-inspired tiles, casting long shadows across bodies swaying in sync—each crowned with sleek black over-ear headphones. At first glance, it seems like the city’s most exclusive silent disco. But step closer, and you’ll realize it’s something far more transcendent.

This is a yoga concert—a luminous finale to a day of movement, music, and mindfulness. Led by award-winning author, musician, and yoga teacher MC YOGI, with DJ Taz Rashid’s soulful rhythms pulsing through every pose. The experience defies any other yoga practice I’ve known.

It’s a fitting scene for a rooftop named Tan-Tan—a tribute to a remote Berber village near Morocco’s southern border, famed for its exuberant desert celebration known as the “Burning Man of Morocco.” There, partygoers arrive in extravagant regalia, driven by the impulse to see and be seen. But here, above Santa Barbara’s terracotta rooftops, the energy shifts inward. This event isn’t about being seen. It’s about seeing yourself. DJ Taz Rashid layers ancient mantras over textured basslines, sculpting a sonic journey. MC Yogi guides us through relaxing yoga flows, energetic dance parties, and mindful meditation. The buzz of the music and the joy from the flow culminate into a healing energy that rushes through your body.

The day begins in Hotel Californian’s shaded courtyard, a tranquil enclave tucked away from downtown’s buzz and shielded from the late-summer sun. MC YOGI leads a gentle flow and soulful talk. As a beginner, I expected to feel out of place. But unlike the performative energy common in studios—where poses can become quiet competitions—this practice focuses on mental wellbeing and comfort.

As our flow ends, I lie back, gazing up at a palm tree swaying against a clear blue sky. MC YOGI’s voice drifts through headphones, inviting us to release old pain, clear space, and make room for what truly matters. Yoga here is more than physical practice; it’s a tool to navigate life—with awareness and grace. In this intimate courtyard, I can feel the collective energy hum, like a grid flickering quietly to life.

Afterward, a small meet-and-greet unfolds. MC YOGI greets each guest warmly, meeting every introduction with genuine curiosity. As golden hour begins, we move upstairs to the roof.

With beats pulsing through our headphones, MC YOGI’s voice guides us into motion. We dance, shake our limbs, and extend our arms, moving freely like birds in flight. Laughter spills into the golden air. Being goofy around strangers is not always easy, but MC YOGI creates such a welcoming atmosphere it feels safe to be ourselves. Beneath the shimmering sunlight, we dance and flow, carried by a rhythm that shifts effortlessly from club energy to serene stillness.

The setting adds its own magic: Santa Barbara’s coastline stretches ahead, mountains rise behind, as the sky melts from blue to blush. But it’s not just the scenery that feels magic, it’s also MC YOGI’s approach. He encourages us to tune into both our bodies and hearts. He invites modification with every pose. Every movement is an opportunity to meet discomfort with curiosity and release it.

As the final notes fade, we settle into stillness. In a world demanding composure and control, MC YOGI offers something rare: permission to feel fully, move freely, and rediscover joy. As twilight settles over Santa Barbara, we leave lighter—spirits grounded and lifted all at once.